Grade 7 hindu religious education – Fundamental Principles Quiz

1. What does the word "dharma" most closely mean in Hindu teachings for a 12-year-old learner?

A secret code only priests can use
A way to get rich quickly
A list of many gods to worship
A set of duties and right conduct
Explanation:

Dharma refers to the moral duties and right behaviour people should follow in life, such as honesty, respect, and responsibility, not to money or secret knowledge.

2. Which principle of dharma teaches not to harm others or animals?

Non-violence (ahimsa)
Hatred (dvesha)
Deceit (maya)
Greed (lobha)
Explanation:

Ahimsa means non-violence and compassion toward all living beings, an important dharmic principle followed in Hindu teachings.

3. Which dharmic principle means telling the truth?

Laziness (alasa)
Selfishness (ahamkara)
Truthfulness (satya)
Stealing (asteya)
Explanation:

Satya is the principle of truthfulness; speaking and acting honestly is a central part of dharma.

4. How does the principle of seva (selfless service) show dharma in everyday life?

Only helping rich people
Helping others without expecting rewards
Ignoring community needs
Asking for money when helping
Explanation:

Seva means serving others selflessly, which teaches responsibility and compassion as part of dharma.

5. What is the dharmic teaching about respect for parents and elders?

To care for and respect parents and elders
To always disagree with elders
To leave family responsibilities to others
To only obey elders when it benefits you
Explanation:

Respecting and caring for parents and elders is a key duty in dharma, showing gratitude and responsibility in the family.

6. Which dharmic value encourages cleanliness of body and mind?

Bragging (mada)
Stealing (asteya)
Neglect (anartha)
Purity (shaucha)
Explanation:

Shaucha stands for purity and cleanliness of body, mind, and surroundings, which is encouraged by dharma.

7. What does the law of karma teach in the context of dharma?

Everything is decided by luck alone
You can do anything without consequence
Only the rich get blessings
Good actions lead to good results and bad actions to bad results
Explanation:

Karma teaches that actions have consequences; following dharma leads to positive outcomes while wrong actions lead to harm.

8. Which principle of dharma encourages fairness and justice in the community?

Righteousness (dharma)
Cheating (maya)
Cruelty (himsa)
Favoritism (paksha)
Explanation:

Dharma includes acting righteously and fairly, promoting justice and good conduct within the community.

9. What does asteya (non-stealing) teach school children?

To share other people's food without asking
Not to take things that belong to others
To hide school property
To copy homework from everyone
Explanation:

Asteya means not stealing and respecting other people's property, an important lesson for students and community life.

10. Which dharmic principle helps people control bad desires and act responsibly?

Excessive pride (mana)
Self-discipline (tapas/discipline)
Revenge (pratishodh)
Laziness (tamas)
Explanation:

Self-discipline helps a person control impulses and follow dharma by making responsible choices and practicing good habits.

11. How does dharma promote tolerance among people of different religions in Kenya?

By teaching respect and non-harm toward all beliefs
By forcing everyone to follow one faith
By ignoring others' traditions
By creating conflicts between communities
Explanation:

Dharma encourages respect and non-violence, which supports peaceful coexistence and tolerance in a diverse society like Kenya.

12. Which principle asks people to be content with what they have?

Envy (irshya)
Worry (chinta)
Contentment (santosha)
Greed (lobha)
Explanation:

Santosha means being satisfied and content, a dharmic value that reduces greed and leads to peaceful living.

13. Which principle guides students to study and respect their teachers?

Rebellion (vidroh)
Disrespect (anadar)
Respect and duty (shraddha and kartavya)
Carelessness (avirata)
Explanation:

Shraddha (respect) and kartavya (duty) guide students to honour teachers and do their best in studies as part of dharma.

14. What does forgiveness (kshama) encourage someone to do?

Spread gossip about others
Hold grudges forever
Seek revenge quickly
Let go of anger and forgive those who do wrong
Explanation:

Kshama teaches forgiveness, helping people heal relationships and act compassionately, central to dharmic living.

15. Which principle of dharma tells a person to share with the poor and needy?

Selfishness (atma),
Wastefulness (vyaya)
Secrecy (gopana)
Charity and generosity (dana)
Explanation:

Dana is the practice of giving and sharing with those in need, reflecting compassion and social duty in dharma.

16. How does dharma view the idea of equality before others?

Outsiders should be ignored
Some people are always better than others
All human beings deserve respect and fair treatment
Only family members get respect
Explanation:

Dharma promotes respect and fairness toward everyone, teaching that all people should be treated with dignity.

17. What role does honesty play in dharmic life at school?

It makes you unpopular
It helps you cheat better
It builds trust and good reputation among classmates and teachers
It makes learning slower
Explanation:

Honesty creates trust and shows moral character, which is encouraged by dharma in school and community life.

18. Which principle teaches that duties change with age and role, such as student or parent?

Only pleasure (kama)
Random living (akarma)
Dharma according to stages of life (ashrama dharma)
No rules (anrta)
Explanation:

Ashrama dharma explains that people have different duties at different life stages (student, householder, etc.), guiding right conduct.

19. How can a Kenyan 12-year-old practice non-violence (ahimsa) at home?

By ignoring everyone at home
By speaking kindly and not hurting animals or siblings
By shouting whenever upset
By taking things without asking
Explanation:

Ahimsa includes avoiding physical and verbal harm; being kind at home is a simple way to practise non-violence.

20. Which dharmic idea helps people accept responsibility for their actions?

Waiting for miracles
Blaming others always
Karma and personal responsibility
Ignoring consequences
Explanation:

Belief in karma encourages people to act responsibly because actions have consequences, a core dharmic teaching.

21. What does 'ahimsa' help promote in a school setting?

Taking teachers' belongings
Fighting to get what you want
Peaceful behaviour and respect for all students
Excluding classmates from games
Explanation:

Ahimsa promotes non-harm and respect, which supports peaceful relationships and cooperation in school.

22. Which principle reminds people to use resources wisely and avoid waste?

Wastefulness and excess
Moderation and contentment
Gluttony and greed
Carelessness and neglect
Explanation:

Dharma values moderation and contentment, encouraging responsible use of resources and care for the environment.

23. Which dharmic value helps build strong friendships by being reliable?

Jealousy (irshya)
Dishonesty (mithya)
Loyalty and duty (faithfulness)
Unreliability (avicara)
Explanation:

Being loyal and responsible to friends is a dharmic quality that builds trust and lasting relationships.

24. How can prayer and ritual support a child's understanding of dharma?

They teach children to ignore others
They make school work unnecessary
They help strengthen values like respect, discipline, and gratitude
They replace the need to behave well
Explanation:

Prayer and rituals can reinforce dharmic values such as respect and discipline, helping children practice good behaviour.

25. Which principle teaches care for nature and all living things?

Destruction of nature (vinash)
Indifference to animals (anudaya)
Only caring for people (manushya keval)
Respect for life (ahimsa and reverence for nature)
Explanation:

Dharma includes caring for the environment and living beings, promoting protection of nature as part of right conduct.